Oklahoma Sooners freshman quarterback Jett Niu is ready to prove his worth after already making SEC history
National signing day featured a bit of craziness for the Oklahoma Sooners this offseason. But, isn't there always at least a little bit of that during this wild era of college football? In this case, it came in the form of the quarterback position; a position the Sooners greatly struggled with throughout the 2024 season. […]
National signing day featured a bit of craziness for the Oklahoma Sooners this offseason. But, isn't there always at least a little bit of that during this wild era of college football? In this case, it came in the form of the quarterback position; a position the Sooners greatly struggled with throughout the 2024 season.
The offense had its own struggles schematically, and when you mix that with injuries–some of the worst injuries in the country that is–bad depth and bad positional play, the offense was one of the worst in the SEC, if not the worst. Their defense held them together like stick glue, but by the end of the season, it was clear more than one change would be made. Jackson Arnold, the quarterback who started the season, was on his way out of town.
Now enters three more quarterbacks — John Mateer, Cole Gonzales, and Jett Niu. Everyone is talking about Mateer, and rightfully so, as his 2024 season was one of the best seasons of any quarterback last year. But the Sooners also added a quarterback who is already making SEC history, despite having not played a single snap yet.
Jett Niu is the first Tongan SEC quarterback of all time, and he flipped to the Sooners the day before signing day after being committed to Oklahoma State. Had he not flipped, he wouldn't be able to say that he's made the history he has.
"It's definitely a big deal in my family," Niu told A to Z Sports in an exclusive interview. "I've had some uncles that have played college football and played in the NFL. But, I mean, this was definitely a big step in my family. And I just think it was a big moment to show my family that I can, and that you guys can do anything you want to if you just put your mind to it."
"And that's kind of what I've shown from my standpoint. I just want to show everyone that as long as you do the work and put your head down and do everything you can to be the best that you can be, you can achieve anything."
Niu comes from a football family that stems from his dad getting the ball rolling. Playing at Lehi High School in Utah, it's the only football around, so the lights are bright on Friday nights. Yet he was still able to lead his team to the Utah Class 6A state semifinals where he passed for 368 yards and four touchdowns, putting on a clinic and showing college scouts and coaches, including Ben Arbuckle, exactly what he is capable of.
During his senior year, Niu completed 195 of 341 passes for 2,857 yards and 29 touchdowns and rushed for 66 yards and three TDs. He commanded the huddle from his teammates and went to battle with his brothers every Friday night. Niu ended his high school career by having two top-five seasons in Lehi Football history in terms of quarterback play.
"I think Utah football is a little underrated," Niu said. "I think that we do have a lot of ballers out there. And I mean my brother as well, he and I have been playing, I played with him for the past couple of years. We love it. That's just Utah football for us, and we take it to heart."
The Sooners' newest quarterback attributes almost everything he has learned football-wise to his father, and his coaches at Lehi.
"One's my head coach at Larson," Niu continued. "He's taught me from the ground up. He's kind of shaped me into the quarterback who I am today. I mean, I can't thank him enough for what he's done for me and all the stuff he's done for me and the offense that he set for me. He I mean, he's been a great mentor. He just retired. The next one, his name is Steve Clements. He was my quarterback coach during my junior and senior year. I think he, he really has shaped me into the man I am today.
"He's always been the coach that I've run to when I've had problems. And, I mean, I think that he's been a big part of my recruiting process as well. He's kind of helped me through things, through all the situations and all the outcomes. And I mean, he's definitely been a leader for me. Both of those are outstanding and I think that they've definitely shaped me into what I am today."
When you talk about an SEC quarterback, Niu has all the makings to be a starter at this level. Despite being a three-star recruit out of high school, Niu has shown the coaching staff at Oklahoma that he has the potential to be a very good quarterback. Ben Arbuckle, the Sooners' new offensive coordinator, was recruiting Niu when he was at Washington State, and that was actually Niu's first offer.
So, when Arbuckle came over, and a few people at Oklahoma realized that Niu would be available to flip, the Sooners had to go after him. They needed one more quarterback for their roster and why not get a guy that they think is better than his star rating would suggest?
Niu is the type of quarterback that Arbuckle loves for his system. But most importantly, Niu describes himself as a quarterback that everyone wants — a guy who leads his team and does whatever it takes to win.
"Yeah, I would say I'm definitely a leader," said Niu. "I like to command the offense and kind of have the offense in my hands. I like to be in control and set the tone. And I think one of my strengths is pocket passing. I think that's one thing I've been known for, is I'm just a great pocket passer. I love to be accurate, and I just think overall, I just love to lead my team and be able to go out there with the guys, go win games, and potentially go win championships, especially with these next few years coming up."
The Sooners are glad that the craziness of National Signing Day fell in their favor this time around. And, hey, what's better than getting a great quarterback and stealing him away from one of your biggest rivals the Oklahoma State Cowboys?
The 2024 season went by incredibly fast. With how that was, the 2025 season will be here before we know it, which means spring practices and the spring game are right around the corner. Niu will have a shot to battle his way up the depth chart. And, who knows, he very well could see the field this season.
If so, he'll be ready.
Oklahoma Sooners 2025 freshman has already made SEC history and he hasn’t played a snap yet
The Sooners got a good one.
